Therapeutic bed

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a bed ( 10 ) for relieving pressure exerted on a user. The bed includes a first support means ( 12 ) for supporting the user, a second support means ( 14 ) which is co-operable with the first support means ( 12 ), and a displacement means ( 32 ) for displacing the user between a first position wherein the user is supported by the first support means ( 12 ) and a second position wherein the user is supported by the first and second support means. Typically the user is an aged person, an infirm person, an incapacitated person, a patient, or the like.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

1. This invention relates to a bed, and in particular, to a bed forrelieving pressure exerted on a user by the bed.

2. 1. Background Art to the Invention

3. The inventor is aware that a medical problem often associated withlong periods of bed rest, as well as with the inability to shift a usersposition in a conventional bed, are bed sores or pressure sores causedby the pressure exerted by the bed on the user.

4. 2. Disclosure of the Invention

5. According to the invention there is provided a bed for relievingpressure exerted on a user, which bed includes:

6. a first support means for supporting the user;

7. a second support means which is co-operable with the first supportmeans; and

8. a displacement means for displacing the user between a first positionwherein the user is supported by the first support means and a secondposition wherein the user is supported by the first and second supportmeans.

9. Typically the user is an aged person, an infirm person, anincapacitated person, a patient, or the like.

10. The bed may include a base with caster wheels to facilitatedisplacement of the bed.

11. The bed may include a third support means which is co-operable withthe first support means on the opposite side to which the second supportmeans is connected to the first support means, thereby permitting theuser to be supported by the first support means, the first and secondsupport means, or the first and third support means.

12. The second and third support means may be hingedly connected to thefirst support means.

13. The bed may further include a retaining means which is adapted toextend between the first and second or between the first and thirdsupporting means to retain the second or third support means in apredetermined position relative to the first support means. Inparticular, the retaining means permits retention of the first, secondand third support means in the same plane in an inoperative condition,and retention of the second or third support means at an angle relativeto the first support means in an operative supporting condition whereinthe user is simultaneously supported by both the first and secondsupport means or the first and third support means respectively.

14. The retaining means may be removable to permit the second and thirdsupport means to be lowered to facilitate access to the user.

15. The retaining means may be a chain spanning between the first andsecond support means and/or first and third support means, such that asubstantial portion of the weight of a user bearing on the second and/orthird support means is carried by the chain.

16. The chain may be of a length longer than that required to permit thefirst and second support means and/or first and third support means tosupport the user between them, the additional length being taken up by aresiliently biassed tensioning device, such as a coil spring, actingbetween two or more remote links of the chain.

17. The retaining means may however include a member mounted pivotablyon the longitudinal axis of the first support means and extendinglaterally therefrom to support the second and/or third support meansthereon.

18. The retaining means may include a mechanism for pivoting the memberfrom the plane of the first support to permit the second and/or thirdsupport member to be displaced from a user supporting position to aposition which facilitates access to the user.

19. The mechanism may include a bendix type drive.

20. The bed may include a plurality of mattresses, preferably having onemattress placed on each support means. However, the bed may include aplurality of matresses ditributed at least one per support means.

21. The matresses may be segmented. Typically the matress on the firstsupport means is of the segmented type.

22. The matress on the first support means may have an aperturetherethrough to permit the passing of a tube, such as a catheter, or anelectrical cable, such as that for a monitoring device. Typically theaperture will be located between two adjacent segments of the segmentedmatress.

23. The first support means may include a plurality of segments,preferably hinged, so that the user may be positioned in a semi-uprightor seated position.

24. The displacement means may be adapted to rotate and/or pivot thefirst support means, and with it the second and third support means,about a longitudinal axis of the first support means.

25. However, the displacement means may comprise telescoping extensionrods configured to displace the second support means and/or the thirdsupport means relative to the first support means thereby to displacethe user.

26. The displacement means and the mechanism for pivoting the retainingmember may co-operate to facilitate both operations to be carried outtogether.

27. The bed may be elevated to a semi-upright position by a seconddisplacement means which extends between the base and the first supportmeans, wherein the first support means, and with it the second and thirdsupport means, is capable of being displaced by the second displacementmeans about a pivotal point on the base of the bed between a firsthorizontal position and an elevated position wherein the bed is inclinedrelative to the ground to permit the user to be supported in an elevatedposition.

28. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examplewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

29. In the drawings:

30.FIG. 1 shows a side view of a bed in accordance with the invention;

31.FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the bed in accordance with the invention;

32.FIG. 3 shows a partial end view of the bed; and

33.FIG. 4 shows a partial side view of a further embodiment of a bed inaccordance with the invention.

34. In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a bed inaccordance with the invention.

35. Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, the bed 10 includes a central support12 and a pair of side supports 14 for supporting a user. The centralsupport 12 is mounted on a frame 16 which is mounted pivotally on a base18 having caster wheels 20 to permit displacement of the bed 10 in use.

36. The central support 12 and side supports 14 are hingedly connected.Foam mattresses 22 and 24 are arranged on the central and side supports12 and 14 respectively. Upwardly extending arms 26 and 28 extend fromthe ends of the central support 12 Retaining means in the form ofremovable chains 30 interconnect the arms 26, 28 and side supports 14 toretain the side supports 14 in the same plane as the central support 12in an inoperative condition. The chains 30 can be detached to permit theside supports 14 to be pivoted downwardly relative to the centralsupport 12 to permit a user to be easily received by or removed from thebed 10, and for attendants or medical staff to approach and gain accessto the user on the bed and, for example, administer treatment to theuser. In operation, when the central support 12 is pivoted about itslongitudinal axis, the chains 30 serve to displace at least one of theside supports 14 in the direction of arrow A towards the central support12 to enable the user to be supported at least partially by one of theside supports 14 and central support 12.

37. A first displacement means comprising a driven belt assembly 32 forrotating a threaded shaft and collar assembly 34 is provided to displacepivotally the frame 16 and with it the supports 12 and 14 about a pivotpoint 36 on the base 18 in the direction of arrow B to enable the userto be moved between a horizontal and inclined position to facilitate hiscomfort, circulation and pressure relief.

38. In other embodiments, not shown, the first displacement meanscomprises a chain drive or a direct drive. The first displacement meansmay be operated electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, or by acombination of one or more of the preceding.

39. A second displacement means comprising a driven rack and pinionassembly 37 is provided to facilitate pivotal displacement in thedirection of arrow A of the central and side supports 12 and 14 in themanner as hereinbefore described.

40. The assemblies 32 and 37 are powered by electric motors 38.

41. In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the centralsupport 12 comprises hinged segments 40 to permit the user to bearranged in a semi-upright position 42 (in dotted lines) or a seatedposition (not shown).

42. A horizontal beam 44 partially extends from the upright arm 26 overthe bed 10, however, in other embodiments the beam 44 may extend fromthe head of the bed (not shown).

43. A switch box 46 is attached to the underneath side of the beam 44 topermit displacement of the bed 10 to be controlled by the user, however,in other embodiments (not shown) the beam 44 may extend from the foot ofthe bed and the switch box 46 is located at the foot of the bed and avoice control microphone is located at the head of the bed.

44. The switch box 46 has a switch 48 for controlling the verticaldisplacement (arrow B) and another switch 50 controlling thelongitudinal, rotational or pivotal displacement (arrow A) of the bed10.

45. The bed 10 also includes safety features in the form of safetystraps (not shown) for confining the user to the bed 10 and reducing therisk of injury to the user when the bed 10 is displaced.

46. The bed 10 may also include a plurality of panels (not shown) whichsurround the frame 16 to give the bed 10 an aesthetic appearance.

47. The applicant believes that the bed in accordance with the inventionwill provide a simplified solution for alleviation of pressure andconsequent bedsores, often experienced by quadriplegics, paraplegics,the elderly and patients. The physical rotation of the body has definiteadvantages for blood circulation, bladder and bowel function. Theincreased pressure exerted on a disabled person's legs when in anupright position may also inhibit the progress of osteoporosis.

48. The invention is not limited to the precise constructional detailsas hereinbefore described. For example, the first displacement means maybe in the form of telescoping extension rods. The pivotal displacementof the supports about their longitudinal axes may be carried outmanually by an assistant. A voice activated computer means which isconnectable to the first and second displacement means may also beprovided to permit voice activation of said displacement means.

CLAIMS:
 1. A bed for relieving pressure exerted on a user, which bedincludes: a first support means for supporting the user; a secondsupport means which is connected at a first end to the first supportmeans and suspended by means of a retaining means extending between alocation on the second means away from the first end and an armextending from a frame portion of the bed, so that the second supportmeans moves in sympathy with the first support means when the firstsupport means is laterally displaced; and a rack and pinion means forpivotally displacing the first support means towards the second supportmeans, the second support means thereby moving in an opposite directionto the first support means so that the user would be displaced between afirst position wherein the user would be supported by the first supportmeans and a second position wherein the user would be supported by thefirst and second support means.
 2. A bed as claimed in claim 2 , furtherincluding a third support means which is connected at a first end to aside of the first support means which is opposite to the side at whichthe second support means is connected, the third support means beingsuspended by a retaining means extending between a location on the thirdsupport means away from the first end and the arm extending from theframe portion, so that the third support means moves in sympathy withthe first support means in an opposite direction to the first supportmeans.
 3. A bed as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the retaining means isdisengageable to permit the second and/or third support means to berotated so that a distal edge thereof is downwardly displaceable.
 4. Abed as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the retaining means is disengageableto permit the second and/or third support means to be rotated so that adistal edge thereof is downwardly displaceable.
 5. A bed as claimed inclaim 1 , wherein the second and third support means are hingedlyconnected to the first support means.
 6. A bed as claimed in claim 1 ,wherein the retaining means permits retention of the second and thirdsupport means in substantially the same plane as the first support meansin an inoperative condition, and retention of the second or thirdsupport means at an angle relative to the first support means in anoperative supporting condition wherein the user would be simultaneouslysupported by both the first and second support means or the first andthird support means respectively.
 7. A bed as claimed in claim 1 ,including a base with caster wheels to facilitate displacement of thebed.
 8. A bed as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the retaining means is achain.
 9. A bed as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the retaining means is achain.
 10. A bed as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the retaining means isa chain.
 11. A bed as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the retaining meansis a chain.
 12. A bed as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the chain is of alength longer than that required to permit the first and second supportmeans and/or first and third support means to support the user betweenthem, the additional length being taken up by a resiliently biasedtensioning device acting between two or more remote links of the chain.13. A bed as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the chain is of a lengthlonger than that required to permit the first and second support meansand/or first and third support means to support the user between them,the additional length being taken up by a resiliently biased tensioningdevice acting between two or more remote links of the chain.
 14. A bedas claimed in claim 10 , wherein the chain is of a length longer thanthat required to permit the first and second support means and/or firstand third support means to support the user between them, the additionallength being taken up by a resiliently biased tensioning device actingbetween two or more remote links of the chain.
 15. A bed as claimed inclaim 1 , wherein the first support means includes a plurality ofsegments.
 16. A bed as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the plurality ofsegments are hingedly connected so that the user may be positioned in asemi-upright or seated position.
 17. A bed as claimed in claim 1 ,wherein the bed is adapted to be elevated to a semi-upright position bya second displacement means which extends between the base and the frameportion, wherein the frame portion together with the first, second andthird support means, is capable of being displaced by the seconddisplacement means about a pivotal point on the base of the bed betweena first horizontal position and an elevated position wherein the bed isinclined relative to the ground to permit the user to be supported in anelevated position.
 18. A bed as claimed in claim 1 , including asegmented mattress on the first support means.
 19. A bed as claimed inclaim 16 , wherein the segmented mattress has three segments configuredto permit the segments under the torso and head of a user to bedisplaceable independently.
 20. A bed as claimed in claim 18 , whereinan aperture is provided between at least two of the segments for passinga tube or a cable therethough.